Flexible shockproof propeller



Patented Apr. 9, 1946 FLEXIBLE SHOCKPROOF PROPELLER John A. Myers, Albany, N. Y., assignor, by direct and mesne assignments, of one-eighth to Mauritz Johnson, and four-eighths to Frederic Strech, both of Albany, N. Y.

Application November 10, 1943, Serial No. 509,763

4 Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in propellers for boats and other uses, the principal object being to provide a pro-,

peller which will be substantially shock-proof in operation, especially when pressure on the propeller is relieved as when the stern of the boat leaves the water.

Another important object of the invention is to provide a propeller which has a primary ability to yield, thus substantially reducing the shock of starting.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent to the reader of the following description.

In the drawing Figure 1 is a fragmentary side elevational view showing the stern of a ship and certain parts of the present invention in section.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially on the line 22 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a section taken substantially on the line 3-3 of Figure 1.

Referring to the drawing wherein like numerals designate like parts, it can be seen that the numeral 5 denotes the stern of a ship, while numeral 6 generally refers to the present invention.

Inside of the stern 5 is a stand 1 vertically through which and the back of the stem 5 is disposed a steering shaft 8, the lower end of which connects to the removable top of a box 9 in which is a rotary beveled gear l0 meshing with a pair of beveled pinions ll, I2.

The beveled gear l2 has a rearwardly projecting shaft i3 projecting rearwardly of the box 8 and on this shaft i3 is a pair of spaced cups :4, IS, the open sides of the cups being opposed and having their opposed edges beveled as at H5.

The shaft I3 is provided with threads IT. A propeller consisting of a hub I8 is provided with blades l9 and the hub [8 has a beveled side portions 29, 29 which are engageable with either beveled surface iii of the cups M, i=5.

Numeral 2| denotes a drive shaft which extends through a horizontal slot 22 in the forward side of the gear box 9.

It can now be seen, that the propeller is driven by the shaft 2! and gears H], H and I2 by way of the shaft [3. When the propeller is driven in one direction, it will ride against one of the cups H5, H3 and this interval of movement will relieve the propulsion mechanism of any shock. Further, due to the fact that water is pushed into the corresponding cup l4, or Hi there is a cushioning effect against the propeller as the corresponding beveled portion 20 rides against the beveled portion 16 of the cup. Due to the fact that water will remain in the cups, there will be no likelihood of the propeller having its beveled side sticking or otherwise binding within the beveled portion of the corresponding cup.

Obviously, the entire propeller unit can be oscillated horizontally for the purpose of steering through the medium of the steering shaft 8.

While the foregoing specification sets forth the invention in specific terms, it is to be understood that numerous changes in the shape, size and materials may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed hereinafter.

Having described the claimed as new is:

l. A propelling mechanism for boats, comprising a horizontal propeller shaft, friction-clutch cups secured in spaced relation on the propeller shaft, said propeller shaft having a single thread between said friction-clutch cups, and a propeller arranged on the propeller shaft between said friction-clutch cups, said propeller including a hub having threaded engagement with the propeller shaft for movement into engagement with one friction-clutch cup when the propeller shaft is driven in one direction, and into engagement with the other friction-clutch cup when the propeller shaft is driven in the opposite direction, said friction-clutch cups having open sides in opposed relation and including cylindrical walls having beveled end edges at the open sides thereof, said propeller hub being provided with beveled ends engageable with the beveled edges of the respective cups, the friction-clutch cups being of a depth to provide a water cushion therein when engaged by the propeller hub.

2. A propelling and steering device for boats comprising a substantially horizontal drive shaft, a substantially vertical steering shaft, a box fixed to the lower end of said steering shaft and having an arcuate horizontal slot in the front thereof, said drive shaft extending into the box through said slot to permit the box to rotate with the steering shaft relative to the drive shaft, a bevel pinion on the rear end of the drive shaft, a horizontal propeller shaft journaled in the rear of the box and projecting rearwardly therefrom, a second bevel pinion on the front end of the propeller shaft, a bevel gear arranged between and meshing with said pinions and journaled in the box with its axis coincident with the steering shaft, stop members secured in spaced relation on the propeller shaft, said propeller shaft invention, what is having a single thread between said stop members, and a propeller arranged on the propeller shaft between said stop members, said propeller including a hub having threaded engagement with the propeller shaft for movement into engagement with one stop member when the propeller shaft is driven in one direction and into engagement with the other stop member when the propeller shaft is driven in the opposite direction.

3. A propelling and steering device for boats comprising a substantially horizontal drive shaft, a substantially vertical rotatable steering shaft, a box having a part fixed to the lower end of said steering shaft, said drive shaft extending and journaled in the box with its axis coincident with the steering shaft, said box embodying means whereby said part thereof and said propeller shaft may be rotated with the steering shaft relative to said drive shaft, and a propeller arranged on and driven with the propeller shaft.

4. A propelling and steering device for boats comprising a substantially horizontal drive shaft, a substantially vertical rotatable steering shaft, a box fixed to the lower end of said steering shaft and having an arcuate horizontal slot in the front thereof, said drive shaft extending into the box through said slot to permit the box to rotate with the steering shaft relative to the drive shaft, a bevel pinion on the rear end of the drive shaft, a horizontal propeller shaft journaled in the rear of the box and projecting rearwardly therefrom, a second bevel pinion on the front end of the propeller shaft, a bevel gear arranged between and meshing with said pinions and journaled in the box with its axis coincident with the steering shaft, and a propeller arranged on and driven with the propeller shaft.

JOHN A. MYERS. 

